Theatre-Style Curse of Strahd | Free games until full [DM Murf]

Creating your character

All characters begin at Level 1 and must be created using the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2024 Ruleset). To ensure compatibility and consistency, only officially published 2024 D&D content may be used for character creation. Legacy 2014 content, homebrew material, and unofficial third-party options are not permitted unless specifically approved by the DM. Characters should be created in D&D Beyond prior to the first session. Once your character is complete, please provide the DM with a shareable D&D Beyond character link so it can be imported into our Foundry VTT game. Players who are new to D&D or need assistance creating a character are welcome to reach out for guidance before the campaign begins. Ability scores may be generated using either Standard Array or Point Buy. Rolling for stats is not used in this campaign. This ensures all characters begin on equal footing and helps maintain party balance throughout the adventure. A detailed character creation guide, including approved options, campaign-specific recommendations, and step-by-step instructions, will be provided to all players. Please review the guide before creating your character to ensure a smooth onboarding process. We will also discuss character concepts, party composition, and connections between characters during Session 0 to help create a cohesive adventuring group and enrich the overall story experience. Full Character Creation Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kDN0PWhI7Tob5S0MYSty3JehM9C498JYY-5DDvvqhRk/edit

Preparing for the session

Before your first session, please complete the following steps to ensure a smooth onboarding experience and minimize technical issues during game time. 1. Join the Dancing Puppet Discord Server All campaign communication, announcements, scheduling updates, session information, and community discussions take place through our Discord server. Please join before Session 0 and review any welcome channels, server rules, and campaign information provided. Discord Server: https://discord.gg/uuaUDKKC58 2. Create a D&D Beyond Account Players are required to have a free D&D Beyond account. Character creation, character sheet management, and character imports will be handled through D&D Beyond. If you are new to the platform, don't worry—we are happy to help you get started. 3. Create Your Character Create a Level 1 character using the D&D 5th Edition (2024 Ruleset). Once your character is complete, send the DM a shareable D&D Beyond character link. Your character will then be imported directly into our Foundry Virtual Tabletop. Please note: Use only approved 2024 D&D content. Ability scores must be generated using Standard Array or Point Buy. Review the Character Creation Guide provided in the game listing for additional details. 4. Prepare Your Equipment Players will need: A stable internet connection A computer or laptop capable of running a modern web browser A microphone for voice communication Headphones (strongly recommended to reduce background noise and improve audio quality) A webcam is optional but always welcome. 5. Accessing Foundry VTT No Foundry account, software installation, or purchase is required. Players will receive a link to the game world before the session and can access everything directly through their web browser. 6. Attend Session 0 Before the campaign begins, we will hold a Session 0 to discuss expectations, table rules, safety tools, character concepts, and party connections. This helps ensure everyone starts the adventure on the same page and contributes to a collaborative, enjoyable experience. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or completely new to Dungeons & Dragons, Dancing Puppet is committed to making the onboarding process simple and welcoming. If you need assistance with Discord, D&D Beyond, character creation, or Foundry VTT, help is always available before the game begins.

What Dancing Puppet brings to the table

At Dancing Puppet, our goal is to give you more than just a game—we want every session to feel like an episode of a living fantasy series. As you journey through Barovia, you'll experience immersive storytelling, dynamic maps, atmospheric music, visual effects, custom handouts, and carefully crafted encounters designed to bring the world to life. Through character voices, memorable NPCs, and cinematic scene presentation, we strive to make every location, conversation, and decision feel meaningful and memorable. Your character is at the heart of the story. We place a strong emphasis on roleplay, character development, and player agency. You'll encounter NPCs with distinct personalities, motivations, and voices, build relationships that can change the course of the campaign, and face choices that leave lasting consequences. Whether you enjoy dramatic roleplay, uncovering mysteries, exploring dangerous locations, navigating moral dilemmas, or engaging in epic battles, you'll have opportunities to shape the story and create unforgettable moments. Combat in Curse of Strahd is designed to be engaging, cinematic, and tactically rewarding. Barovia is a dangerous land where courage alone is not always enough. Success often depends on teamwork, preparation, clever thinking, and knowing when to fight—or when to flee. We generally follow the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2024) rules as written, but we also believe that great stories are built on creativity. If you come up with a clever, thematic, or cinematic idea, we'll work with you to bring it to life while keeping the game fair and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you're completely new to Dungeons & Dragons or an experienced adventurer, you'll find a welcoming and supportive table. We'll help you learn the rules, create your character, and become comfortable with the virtual tabletop tools used during play. Session 0 is used to establish expectations, safety tools, and party connections so everyone starts the adventure on the same page. While waiting for the campaign table to fill, you may also have opportunities to participate in complimentary one-shot adventures hosted by the DM. These games are a great way to meet fellow players, experience our playstyle, and start adventuring right away before your journey into Barovia begins. Above all, your choices matter. The world will react to your actions, allies and enemies will remember your decisions, and the story will evolve based on the paths you choose. Whether this is your first adventure or your hundredth, we invite you to step into the mists and experience a campaign built around immersion, collaboration, and unforgettable storytelling.

How Dancing Puppet creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a top priority at our table. Before the campaign begins, we hold a Session 0 where we discuss expectations, character concepts, table etiquette, themes, and personal boundaries. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and can enjoy the game in a respectful and collaborative environment. We use Lines and Veils to establish content boundaries. Lines are topics that will not appear in the game, while Veils are subjects that may exist in the story but will fade to black rather than be described in detail. Players are welcome to update their preferences at any time throughout the campaign. Our table follows an Open Door Policy, meaning players may step away from the game, take a break, or leave a scene for any reason without needing to explain themselves. We also schedule regular Breaks during longer sessions to help everyone stay comfortable, focused, and engaged. Dancing Puppet is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for players of all experience levels. Whether you are a veteran adventurer or playing Dungeons & Dragons for the first time, communication and mutual respect are encouraged at all times. If any player becomes uncomfortable with a scene or topic, we will address it promptly and adjust the game as needed to ensure everyone can continue enjoying the adventure.